Sports stats



Hockey Returns to Glens Falls with Preseason Game

September 28, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Hockey is officially back in Glens Falls! Jason Akeson and Brandon Manning both scored the first goals for the Phantoms since last April but Adirondack lost their preseason opener at home to the Albany Devils by a 3-2 score. Harri Pesonen scored two goals to lead the way for Albany. Might as well get the rivalry started early. The Phantoms and Devils will meet 12 more times during the 2013-14 regular season including six matchups at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

The Phantoms put together a strong push in the third period in their attempts to attain the tying goal but Devils rookie goalie Maxime Clermont made several strong saves and Adirondack's 13-5 shot advantage in the final frame would not provide the equalizer.

But preseason games are not just about the final score. Evaluations of players as well as what is working and what is not are at issue as well.

""I liked our offensive zone play," said head coach Terry Murray who is entering his second season as Adirondack bench-boss. "Even in the first period, it was good. Maybe not as great as in the third period but there were some opportunities there. We need to be a little more get after it, get on the hunt to recover some pucks."

Adirondack's top line consisting of veteran newcomer Kris Newbury centering for returning wings Tye McGinn and Jason Akeson had impressive chemistry for their first game together. And Newbury and Akeson got together on both Phantoms' goals. In the first period, their passing back-and-forth across the zone on the power play got the defense moving to set up Brandon Manning's big slapshot pinching in from the right point. And in the third period, Newbury drew the defense towards him in the right circle and somehow found a wide-open and unguared Akeson between the circles with plenty of room and time to crank a shot off or through the glove of Clermont.

"Yea I mean I saw it going in, but it was a nice shot by Newbs," said Akeson who has been the team's top scorer the past two seasons and has 107 career points with Adirondack. "He made a nice play on the forecheck there, and I got lucky. He let the puck sit there. I kind of just let it rip and it went it."

Adirondack out-shot Albany 31-21 in the game including that strong push in the third period. The end result may not have been a preseason W but the goal is to set the stage for as many regular season W's as possible.

"Get pucks to the net. We had great traffic, and their goalie payed well," Murray said. "He made some big saves in, you know, at critical times. So, there's not much I want to change with the attitude, mentality, presence in the third period--was really good in the third period. Next time we play that way, maybe four five of them go in."

Harri Pesonen scored on a breakaway after a long stretch-pass in the first period to give Albany the 1-0 lead. Brandon Manning tied it for the Phantoms a couple minutes later.

Ben Thompson redirected a shot by Eric Gelinas in the second period for a 2-1 Devils advantage. Then it was scramble-time for the Phantoms who took three straight penalties in a row at the end of the second period. The Phantoms killed off all two minutes of 5-on-3 hockey but Pesonen's one-timer from the top of the right-circle banked off the inside of the right post and into the net when it was 5-on-4 early in the third period.

Newbury's forecheck and dangle in the right circle set up Akeson's goal at 6:24 of the third. And after that would be quite a few big chances for the Phantoms trying to tie. Kyle Flanagan's one-timer from the right circle drew the biggest rise from the crowd but Clermont got there in time.

Doug Clarkson of the Phantoms dropped the gloves with Seth Helgeson in the first fight of the year. Clarkson is the younger brother of former New Jersey Devil David Clarkson who recently garnered some attention for his own pugilism with the Toronto Maple Leafs in their scrap with Buffalo early in the week.

It was a day for renewed acquaintances inside the old barn. Some of the season ticket holders and press-box staff have been attending games and greeting each other regularly since the beginning days of the Adirondack Red Wings in 1979. The first preseason game is that beginning opportunity to say the first of many hello's to be had all throughout the year.

Adirondack wraps up their preseason schedule Sunday afternoon at 4:00 on the road at the Utica Comets in a game that will be played at Kennedy Ice Arena in Rome, NY. The Memorial Auditorium in Utica has continuing renovations as the league's newest entry prepares for the season. That game can be heard on the official radio home of the Adirondac k Phantoms, Q101.7, beginning at 3:40.

In just two weeks it will be Opening Night for the 25th season of the AHL in Glens Falls. Adirondack takes on the Hartford Wolf Pack on Saturday, October 12 at 7:00. The Phantoms will officially open the regular season on the road at the Hershey Bears on Saturday, October 5.



American Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Adirondack Phantoms Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central